From the outside, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ trade with the Memphis Grizzlies yesterday looked
like a move to replace center Anderson Varejao with forward Marreese Speights. Varejao was lost for
the season to a pulmonary embolism that developed after quadriceps surgery.

But from the inside, it is more about the draft pick. Speights and guards Wayne Ellington and
Josh Selby certainly might become assets, but the opportunity to acquire a draft pick in the first
round was what really intrigued Cleveland while providing Memphis with salary cap relief that might
allow it to keep Zach Randolph and Rudy Gay.

The pick is complicated.

The NBA does not allow teams to trade first-round draft picks in consecutive years. As Memphis
has traded its 2013 pick to Minnesota, Cleveland will be eligible to receive it starting in
2015.

The pick is protected Nos. 1-5 and Nos. 15-30 in 2015 and 2016, meaning the Cavaliers only get
the choice if it falls between the sixth and 14th picks. The pick is protected for the top five
picks in 2017 and 2018. It becomes unprotected in 2019.

Over the next four years, the Cavs have the potential to add eight first-round picks and seven
second-round picks. But in the short term, they need help inside, and Speights should help.

“It was a good day for us,” Cavs coach Byron Scott said. “Marreese is a guy who’s been in the
league for a while and definitely proven he can play. Good mid-range shooter, tough kid, plays
hard, rebounds the ball.”

The 16th pick of the 2008 draft by Philadelphia, the 6-foot-10, 245-pound Speights has appeared
in 40 games (two starts) for the Grizzlies this season, averaging 6.6 points and 4.7 rebounds in
14.4 minutes.

Sent to Memphis, forward Jon Leuer played in nine games for the Cavs. Guard Jeremy Pargo, who
was released after the deal, played in 25.

Last night’s highlight

Cavaliers 95, Celtics 90 — Kyrie Irving scored 15 of his 40 points in the fourth quarter,
including several key late baskets, to lead Cleveland.

Irving scored 11 points in the final 2:33 on four layups and three free throws to give Cleveland
back-to-back wins at home for the first time this season and send Boston to its season-high fourth
straight loss. Tristan Thompson added 21 points.

Rajon Rondo led Boston with 17 points. Jared Sullinger, who played at Ohio State, had 12 points
and 10 rebounds.

Notable

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, a former NBA All-Star, introduced the first part of a four-step
plan to keep the Kings from moving to Seattle.

He unveiled 20 local investors who have pledged at least $1 million each to be part of a group
that would buy the franchise. Johnson said the major partner he hopes will anchor a last-ditch deal
to keep the Kings from moving will be revealed as soon as this week.